S
JAPAN
473
war with Russia augmented Japan's naval strength considerably, and many fine ships have since been built.
POPULATION, TRade, and IndusTRY
The total area of Japan, exclusive of Formosa and Chosen, is estimated at 163,042 square miles, and the population, according to the returns in 1917, was 56,550,348. The most populous prefectures are Tokyo, Niigata, and Hyogo, each of which contains upwards of two million inhabitants. There are, exclusive of Chinese, about 5,000 foreigners residing in Japan, more than one-third of that number being British subjects. Japan is geographically divided into the four islands: Honshiu, the central and most important territory; Kiushui, "nine provinces," the south-western island; Shikoku, "the four provinces," the southern island; and Yezo, the most northerly and least developed. The former three islands are sub-divided into eight large areas, con- taining sixty-six provinces, and the latter (Yezo or Hokkaido) is divided into eleven provinces.
The total value of the foreign trade for the last six years was:
1913 E'ports, Yen 632,460,213 I'ports,
Total Yen 1,361,891,857 1,186,837,186 1,240,756,935 1,883,896,028 2,638,816,155 3,769,250,000
1914
1915
1916
1917 1919 (11 mos.) 591,101,461 708,306,997 1,127,468,118 1,603,005,048 1,822,000,000 729,431,644 595,735,725 532,449,938 756,427,910 1,035,811,107 1,947,280,000
""
The total volume of foreign trade in 1917 broke all previous records both in exports and imports, besides establishing a new record as regards a favourable balance of trade. Various causes brought about this result. There was a marked increase in exports to China where the non arrival of imports from Europe and the rise in the excliange value of silver created a larger demand for Japanese goods. Then the extraordinary activity of the economic market in America and increased orders for foodstuffs from the Allies contributed to the prosperity of the export trade while interference with imports incidentally encouraged Home industries.
Up to the end of November, 1919, there was an excess of imports over exports amounting to Y. 125,000,000. It was estimated that this latter figure would be reduced by over Y. 30,000,000 during December, thus bringing the total excess of imports for the year down to about Y. 90,000,000. Exports decreased quantitatively, but increased in value, which increase has itself affected quantities. Another reason given for the reduction in exports is that home consumption has increased as a result of the people's greater purchasing power. A favourable factor is that the increasad imports were composed of larger quantities of raw material for Japanese manufacturers, while such unfinished products as iron rods, plates, rails, etc., decreased in quantity owing to the development of the Japanese iron industry.
The following was the total value of the trade with foreign countries in 1917, the latest date for which detailed returns are available:-
United States of America China.....
Exports
Imports
Totals
Yen 478,536,845
359,705,062
838,241,907
""
318,380,530
133,271,036
451,651,566
India, Australia and British America Great Britain
""
144,745,786
259,432,914
404,178,700
""
202,646,125
63,304,384
265,950,509
Continent of Europe.
132,520,029
""
18,847,226
151,367,255
Kwangtung Province...
65,724,838
53,180,199
118,905,037
Asiatic Russia
74,234,145
""
3,755,281
77,989,426
Unknown ....
Hongkong
Hawaii, Egypt and South Africa
Dutch Indies
British Straits Settlements.
Philippines and Siam
Temporary Ware House.
Mexico, Peru and Chili
French Indo-China Other Countries. Argentina and Brazil...
57,241,924
""
1,803,803
59,045,727
""
26,736,152
30,017,577
56,753,729
36,245,340
17,333,100
53,578,440
...
..
""
28,023,558
15,050,128
43,073,686
.....
""
19,075,906
19,690,578
38,766,484
""
408,849
21,720,469
22,129,318
""
16,661,083
16,661,083
3,305,056
9,860,044
13,165,100
وو
3,766,169
7,295,718
11,061,887
""
7,921,879
1,733,979
9,655,858
3,491,917
3,145,526
6,637,443
1,603,005,048
1,035,811,107 2,638,816,155